Using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformation of B cells isolated from peripheral blood of two asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus type 1-(HIV-1) infected subjects, we have produced four IgG1 human monoclonal antibodies (HMAbs) that bind to HIV-1 gp120, as determined by Western blot analysis. Two of these HMAbs, designated N70-1.5e and N70-2.3a, react with epitopes of gp120 expressed by all strains tested thus far, and therefore, appear to identify conserved epitopes. The other two HMAbs, K24-3b and N70-1.9b, identify variant epitopes; K24-3b binds to an epitope which is absent from two strains but heterogeneously expressed in eight other strains; N70-1.9b binds to an epitope that is found in relatively few strains. We also describe a novel immunoassay in which viral glycoproteins, produced by HIV-1-infected cells grown in serum-free medium, are affinity immobilized in Concanavalin A-coated wells of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plates. This method greatly facilitates the preparation of solid-phase HIV envelope glycoproteins from multiple virus strains and screening immunoassays based on this method are highly sensitive and effective in detecting antibodies to gp120.

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Lassa fever (LF) is a potentially fatal disease that affects an estimated 300,000–500,000 people in endemic areas of west Africa each year. Though past studies have identified fatality rates of 5–20% in patients suspected to have contracted Lassa virus (LASV), new studies using more precise clinical diagnoses and modern diagnostic assays show fatalities rates above 60% in acutely ill patients from endemic regions. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics, and only one Comformité Européenne (CE) marked rapid immunodiagnostic for acute LASV infection. Therefore, preventing LASV transmission is the primary goal in endemic regions. Development of rapid immunodiagnostics and research into the efficacy of current treatment options continues toward saving lives in west Africa as well as creating a line of defense against the nefarious use of LASV in bioterrorism settings.